Removable slider for slide fasteners



Jan. 26, 1954 W. GRANT v2,666,970

REIMOVABLE SLIDER FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Filed Aug. 29, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l ww um "Ifuh. www

Jan. 26, 1954 W GRANT 2,666,970

REMOVABLE SLIDER FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Filed Aug. 29, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 :Summer WILLIAM l, GRANT '9- [Mm @WV @Homey Patented Jan. 26, 1954 UHTED STATES PTENT OFFICE REMOVABLE SLIDER FOR SLIDE FASTENERS William I. Grant, Kew Gardens, N. Y. Application August 29, 1952, Serial No. 307,031

6 Claims. (Cl. ,Z4-205.15)

This invention relates to a removable actuating device for a series of slide fastener teeth. The device to which this invention relates is commonly termed a slider for a slide fastener or zipper.

The advent of the slide fastener practically revolutionized the clothing art since long seams could be easily fastened together and spread apart as desired. It is rare today to see a pair of mens trousers or a womans dress that does not employ the slide fastener.

The conventional slide fastener, however suffers from one serious disadvantage in that the actuating device sometimes does not quite mesh properly with the slide fastener teeth. When this happens the slide fastener jams Such jamming can become quite embarrassing especially when the slide fastener is placed at an important point upon an article of clothing.

There have been many attempts prior to this invention to produce an actuating device for a slide fastener which could be removed from the slide fastener teeth in the event of a jam and he replaced thereon after the jam has been cleared by spreading the teeth apart over the entire length of the slide fastener. The former devices, however, have been far from satisfactory due to their lack of positive action or because or" their high cost.

It is an object of this invention to produce an actuating device for a slide fastener that can quickly be removed from the teeth thereof in the event of a jam and be quickly replaced thereon .after the jam has been cleared.

It is a further object of this invention to produce an actuating device for a slide fastener that can only be operated in the correct manner.

It is a further object of this invention to produce an actuating device for a slide fastener which will be inexpensive to service or to construct.

Brieily stated my invention comprises a removable actuating device for a series of slide fastener teeth comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw. These jaws are adapted to grip a series of slide fastener teeth between them. A pin member is operatively connected to the upper jaw and an additional pin member is operatively connected to the lower jaw. Both of these pins are also operatively connected to each other. Means are also provided to move the jaw members verticaily with respect to each other so that they may be removed from the slide fastener teeth, and thus allow any jam in the teeth to be cleared. After the jam has been eliminated the jaws are placed over the teeth in their spread d apart position and then brought together to grip the teeth again,

When the jaws are in their closed position gripping the teeth of the slide fastener the device works in the same manner as the conventional slide fastener which is well known in the art.

The invention may also embody an operating member to allow the jaws to be spread apart and pushed together.

Conventional means may also be employed to lock the actuating device in its position on the slide fastener teeth to prevent the teeth from opening accidentally.

Novel means may also be provided to prevent an unskilled operator from operating this device in the wrong direction.

The invention will be further described by reierence to the accompanying drawings which are made a part of this specification.

Fig. 1 is a front view of the actuating device of this invention in position on a series of slide fastener teeth.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the actuating device of this invention with the parts greatly enlarged taken on lines 2 2 of Fig. l.Y

Fig. 3 is a sectional View similar to Fig. 2 hut showing the actuating device in open position whence it can be removed from the slide fastener teeth.

Fig. 4 is an interior plan view of the upper jaw of the actuating device of this invention,

Fig. 5 is a sectional View of the actuating device of this invention taken on lines EL-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig- 6y is an interior plan View of the lower jaw of the actuating device of this invention with the lower portion thereof broken away.

Fig. 7 is an exterior plan view of the upper jaw of the actuating device of this invention showing the novel means that are provided to prevent the device from being operated in an incorrect manner.

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of the upper pin member of the actuating device of this invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the actuating device of this invention in closed position with the slide fastener teeth removed and with the position of the operating member which is assumed by the device when it is intended to open the same shown in phantom lines.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the actuating device of this invention in open position with the slide fastener teeth removed and with the operatu ing member in the position required-to open the device.

Fig, 11 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but showing an alternative form of this invention.

Fig. l2 is a perspective view showing the form of the upper pin member of the actuating device of this invention in the alternative form shown in Fig. 1l.

It is pointed out that the parts shown in Figs. 2-12 are shown considerably larger than they would be in the actual operating device. This has been done for clearness so that the operation of the device and the manufacture by the public after the expiration of this patent can be easily carried out.

Referring now to the principal form of this invention shown in Figs. 1-10 there are shown upper jaw 25 and lower jaw 2|. Upper jaw 25 is formed with projections 22a and 22D which bear against the upper edges f a series of slide fastener teeth. Upper jaw 2i! also bears wedgeshaped portion 23 which is adapted to spread apart a series of slide fastener teeth.

Lower jaw 2l is formed with projections 25a and 2li-b which bear against the lower edges of a series of slide fastener teeth. Lower jaw 2| also bears wedge-shaped portion 25. Wedge-shaped portions 23 and 25 are adapted to mesh with each other as shown in 2 and 3.

Upper jaw 25 is provided with hole 25 and upper pin member 2'; is disposed within hole 26. Operating member 25 is secured to pin 21 preferably by means of ears 29 and 3B which t into holes (il and 32 provided in pin 21.

Pin member 21 is also formed with shoulder 33 which abuts against the interior face 3l. of jaw 20. Pin member 2 is provided with longitudinal recess 35 and spiral groove 35 which is located within recess S5. Preferably, in order to secure the most satisfactory operation of this device, groove 36 communicates with recess 35 and the outer surface 3l of pin 21.

Lower pin member 38 is secured to lower jaw 2 l. Pin member 3Q is located at the upper end of pin member 38 and is at substantially right angles to pin 33. In the preferred construction of this invention pin member 39 is inserted into pin 38 through the 'back portion '55 of jaw 2i through recess Ail located in `iaw 2l thence through groove S and thence into pin 38. Pin 38 is adapted to nt into longitudinal recess 35 located in pin member 21.

When it is desired to lock the actuating device in its position on the slide fastener teeth to prevent the teeth from opening accidentally various types of conventional loci-:ing mechanisms can be used. In the modification of this invention shown in the drawings this looking is accomplished by providing pin d2 upon operating member 28. Pin 2 is adapted to fit into recess 53 provided in upper jaw 25. Pin i2 is thus adapted to engage the slide fastener teeth and prevent displacement of the actuating device.

In order to make this device foolproof in operation and to prevent it from being damaged by being operated incorrectly bosses M and 55 may be provided on upper jaw .25. Bosses 44 and i5 are wedge shaped and are disposed beneath operating member 25. Since the device is operated by turning operating member 28 it is clear that the operating member 28 cannot be turned in the wrong direction since turning would be stopped by faces 45 and "l1 of bosses M and 45. However operating member 28 will turn in the correct direction since it will ride up on bosses 4e and 45 which are level at 48 and 49 with jaw 2.0.

Referring now to the alternative form of the 4 invention shown in Figs. 11 and 12 it is pointed out that this modification is identical with the principal form except that the upper pin member bears two spiral grooves and the lower pin member bears an additional pin member which fits into these grooves.

There are shown upper jaw 50 and lower jaw 5|. Upper jaw 5t is formed with projections 52a and 52D which bear against the upper edges of a series of slide fastener teeth. Upper jaw 5G also bears wedge-shaped portion 53 which is adapted to spread apart a series of slide fastener teeth.

Lower jaw 5I is formed with projections 5ta and 54h which bear against the lower edges of a series of slide fastener teeth. Lower jaw 5i also bears wedge-shaped portion 55. Wedge-shaped portions 53 and 55 are adapted to mesh with each other as shown in Fig. 1l.

Upper jaw 50 is provided with hole 55 and upper pin member 51 is disposed within hole 55. Operating member 58 is secured to pin 51 preferably by means of ears 59 and G9 which rit into holes 5I and 52 provided in pin 51.

Pin 5l isalso formed with shoulder 53 which abuts against the interior face 54 of jaw 50. Pin 2'! is provided with longitudinal recess 55 and spiral grooves 66 and 61. It is preferable, in order to secure the most satisfactory operation, to cut grooves 66 and 61 completely through pin 21 so that grooves 55 and 51 are in communication with both recess 65 and the outer surfaces G8 and 55 of pin 51.

Lower pin member i' is secured to lower jaw 5i. Pin 'H is secured to pin 15 at substantially right angles thereto. Both ends 12 and 13 of pin 1I are disposed within grooves 66 and G1 respectively. It can thus be seen that the alternative construction is quite similar to the principal construction.

The operation of this device will now 'be explained by reference to the principal form of this invention.

When the device is operating properly and has not jammed fastener 14 is moved longitudinally up and down teeth 15 which consist of units 16 by means of operating member 28 in the same manner as a conventional slide fastener. When, however, it is desired to clear a `iam fastener ifi is removed from teeth 15 by rotating operating member 28 in a counter-clockwise direction. It is pointed out that bosses and. l5 prevent rotation in a clockwise direction and also tend to hold the device firmly in closed position.

Rotation of operating member 2B in a Counterclockwise direction causes pin 39 to bear against spiral groove 35 and shoulder 33 which constantly abuts against jaw 25. Thus jawsJ 2D and 2l are forced apart. When operating member 2B has assumed a position of about degrees from its former position jaws 20 and 2i are suiiioientiy far apart so as to permit removal of fastener 1@ from teeth 15. The teeth can then be cleared of the jam and the fastener i4 can be again piaceri on teeth 15. Clockwise rotation of operating member 28 will then cause fastener l5 to reengageteeth 15 and the device operated again as a conventional slide fastener.

The foregoing specific embodiments of this invention as shown in the foregoing specification are for illustrative purposes and for purposes of example only. Various changes and modications can obviously be made within the spirit and scope of this invention and would occur to those skilled in this art.

I claim:

l, A removable actuating device for a series of slide fastener teeth comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw adapted to grip said slide fastener teeth and to open and close the same, a pin member rotatably connected to said upper jaw, said pin member being formed with a shoulder portion abutting against the lower surface of said upper jaw member and being provided with a recess in the lower portion thereof and a spiral groove communicating with said recess and the outside portion of said pin member; an additional pin member secured to said lower jaw, an additional pin member secured to said rste named additional pin member, said first-named additional pin. member being disposed within said recess and said second-named additional pin member being disposed within said spiral groove, an operating member secured to said iirst-named pin member so that said jaw members may be moved vertically with respect to each other and removed from said slide fastener teeth.

2. A removable actuating device for a series of slide fastener teeth comprising an upper jaw member provided with a recess in the` upper portion thereof, and a lower jaw member, said jaw members being adapted to grip said slide fastener teeth and to open and close the same; a substantially circular upper pin member disposed within said recess, said upper pin member being formed with a widened shoulder portion abutting against the lower surface of said upper jaw member, said upper pin member being also provided with a substantially circular longitudinal recess in the lower portion thereof and a spiral groove within said recess communicating with the outer surface of said pin member, an operating member secured to the upper portion of said pin member and capable of rotating same, a lower pin member secured to said lower jaw member and disposed within said recess provided in said upper pin member, an additional lower pin member secured to said first-named lower pin member at right angles thereto and disposed within said spiral groove, so that said upper and lower pin members are moved vertically away from each other when said upper pin member is rotated and said jaw members are moved apart so that they may be removed from said slide fastener teeth.

3. A removable actuating device for a series of slide fastener teeth as described in claim 2 including a wedge-shaped portion beneath said operating member preventing said operating member from turning in more than one direction.

4. A removable actuating device as described in claim 2 including a plurality of wedge-shaped portions beneath said operating member permitting said upper pin member to rotate in only one direction.

5. A. removable actuating device for a series of slide fastener teeth comprising an upper jaw member provided with a recess in the upper portion thereof, and a lower jaw member, said jaw members being adapted to grip said slide fastener teeth and to open and close the same; a substantially circular vertical upper pin member disposed within said recess, said upper pin member being formed with a widened shoulder portion abutting against the lower surface of said upper jaw member, said upper pin member being also provided with a substantially circular lon'- gitudinal recess in the lower portion thereof and a spiral groove within said recess communicating with the outer surface of said pin member, an operating member secured to the upper portion of said pin member and capable of rotating same, a lower pin member secured to said lower jaw member and disposed within said recess provided in said upper pin member, an additional lower pin member secured to said first-named lower pin member at right angles thereto and disposed within said spiral groove, so that said upper and lower pin members are moved vertically away from each other when said upper pin member is rotated and said jaw members are moved apart so that they may be removed from said slide fastener teeth.

6. A removable actuating device for a series of slide fastener elements comprising an upper jaw member provided with a recess in the upper portion thereof, and a lower jaw member, said jaw members being adapted to grip said slide fastener teeth and to open and close the same; a substantially circular vertical upper pin member disposed within said recess, said upper pin member being formed with a widened shoulder portion abutting against the lower surface of said upper jaw member, said upper pin member being also provided with a substantially circular longitudinal recess in the lower portion thereof and a plurality of spiral grooves within said recess communicating with the outer surface of said pin member, an operating member secured to the upper portion of said pin member and capable of rotating same, a lower pin member secured to said lower jaw member and disposed within said recess provided in said upper pin member, an additional lower pin member secured to said first-named lower pin member at right angles thereto and disposed within said spiral grooves, so that said upper and lower pin members are moved vertically away from each other when said upper pin member is rotated and said jaw members are moved apart so that they may be removed from said slide fastener teeth.

WILLIAM I. GRANT.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 685,253 Caldwell Oct. 29, 1901 2,082,988 Taskila June 8, 1937 2,227,766 Sico Jan, 7, 1941 2,520,496 Deutsch Aug. 29, 1950 2,590,107 Lackritz Mar. 25, 1952 

